COMPRESSIVE FAILURE OF FIBER COMPOSITES

A REVIEW OF experimental data and elementary theoretical formulas for compressive failure of polymer matrix fibre composites indicates that the dominant failure mode is by plastic kinking. Initial local fibre misalignment plays a central role in the plastic kinking process. Theoretical analyses and numerical results for compressive kinking are presented, encompassing effects of strain-hardening, kink inclination, and applied shear stress. The assumption of rigid fibres is assessed critically, and the legitimacy of its use for polymer matrix composites is established.